RELIABILITY RUN

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30231, 9 September 1963, Page 16

RELIABILITY RUN

80-Mile Test For Jet Boats

Forty -three boats took part in a reliability run on the Waimakariri river, from the Main North road traffic bridge to the gorge bridge and back, during the second annual rally of the Canterbury Jet Boat Association on Saturday. The winner was N. Perry (Christchurch) in a 14ft boat powered by a jet-30 unit. W Ivin (Canterbury) was second. His co-driver was A. Butterfield. H. and W. Jenkins (Canterbury) were third, A. Watson (Rakaia) fourth, and M. Paynter (Christchurch) fifth. Paynter also won the slalom event held near the traffic bridge after the trial About 500 persons watched the finish of the trial and the slalom. Overhead conditions were wintry, the river swollen, and the water discoloured. Drivers had to exercise considerable skill, as it was difficult to judge the depth of the water. About a quarter of the competitors had to get out and push on at least one occasion, and many had to turn back on entering side streams and backwaters. One driver, taking a bend, skidded across 30 yards of shingle into a backwater. He had to push his boat back to the main stream. Those with experience of the river fared best, but all drivers enjoyed the day. Only two boots failed to complete the course of about 80 miles. The boats set out at 9 a.m. and the last one was back at 3.30 p.m.